We ARE All Weird

Think about it for a minute. Ponder what it means to you and how many times you have used it to describe someone or someone. Heck, think about how many times you may have even been called it yourself.

Now think about another word: Normal.

Ask my kids what normal is and their answer will be, “normal is boring” because that is what I have always taught them.

I’ve always known that I’m cut from a different cloth. I see the world in a way that scares plenty of people. I trust, love and connect quickly and passionately. I’m fiercely loyal and stuck in my beliefs.

That is why immediately after finishing Seth Godin’s new book We Are All Weird I had to write this and share it with you. (from 30,000 feet on an airplane no less)

This book nails what I’ve been saying is broke about marketing. The old days of shotgunning your message to the masses and having it succeed are doomed. We each crave on out own and are willing to seek out what we want on our schedule and expect to find it.

Sure, mass markets will always exist and those that prefer vanilla and safe will keep on buying (have you seen the profits of Walmart lately), but the growing norm is actually the weird.

I was also happy to see Seth shouting at the current state of education in this country for not embracing what makes kids unique and encouraging them to be weird and learn at the same time. AMEN! Of course I also know some angry parent is going to hate the use of the word weird and completely miss the point, but not everyone can think outside of the box.

Once again Seth takes an idea that many of us have discussed at length with others and boils it down into such a tangible, single word or phrase that says everything to anybody. I’m envious how good he is at this. Just stop and think what he did with the words linchpin, tribes, small and of course purple cows.

I’ve said before that Seth is a dangerous person in my life. His writings constantly confirm and encourage me that I’m on the right path.

My favorite quote from the book was:

“The weird set an example for the rest of us. They raise the bar;they show us through their actions that in fact we’re wired to do the new, not to comply with someone a thousand miles away.”

I promise that this is a quick read that will make you think. I know that as I finish this post up in my hotel room in Louisville, Kentucky where I’m about to attend IdeaFestival I have a feeling I’m going to meet some awesomely weird people this week and I can’t wait!

Disclosure: This book magically showed up on in my Kindle app today for free. I’m making an assumption that this was through my participation as a BzzAgent, but I don’t know for sure since I have not received any e-mail to tell me officially.

Photographer

If I had to choose a style, I’d say my photos are a mix of documentary, travel and lifestyle photography. While I may not enjoy taking head shots, I love to shoot faces. I rarely go anywhere without a camera in my hand and I’ve been fortunate to see my photos on the pages of Rolling Stone and The Wall Street Journal.

I’m currently shooting with a Canon 80D, an iPhone 7+ and a Chroma 4k Drone.

Marketing Consultant

With over twenty years of marketing, online media and community building experience I have the skills and experience to help your organization no matter the size. Previous clients have included The Coca-Cola Company, American Eagle Outfitters and HBO.

I focus on social good/impact marketing, content marketing and brand strategy. My favorite clients are NGOs, nonprofits or brands looking to make a difference in the world.

Keynote Speaker

I’m happiest when on stage educating and inspiring an audience of any size, anywhere in the world.

I have spoken at everything from large international events, corporate retreats and at special gatherings of unique individuals. If you need someone who will inspire, educate and entertain your audience I’d love to chat.

Advocate & Volunteer

I believe in using my skills, time and voice to champion causes that are important to me. I’m especially interested in anything military, dogs or children focused.

Teacher

On top of all that I’m a proud life long New Englander who was born and raised in New Hampshire, but now resides outside of Boston.

I married my high school sweetheart, have two amazing kids and love being a dad.

I’ve been online since 1989, began blogging in 2002 and podcasting in 2004.

Previous endeavors I created include Accident Hash, Passion Hit TV, Digital Dads and The Advance Guard.

Tattoos, travel and the outdoors turn me on. There are fewer things more perfect than a well-done cocktail, a delicious meal or live art of any sort. I love my GORUCK, Field Notes and am a proud Misfit.

To understand me is to understand that I try to live a purposeful life every day that is full of adventure, love and making the world around me a better place for all.

Official Bio

C.C. Chapman describes himself as a New England raised storyteller, explorer, and humanitarian. Others have described him as a thought leader in the online marketing space, a grounded futurist and one the nicest guy on the Internet. Over the years of his career, he has worked with a variety of clients including Nike, HBO, American Eagle Outfitters, ONE, Verizon FiOS and The Coca-Cola Company.

He is the co-author of the International bestseller Content Rules and is also the author of Amazing Things Will Happen. He travels the world speaking in front of audiences to do more in the world and how to understand content marketing better. C.C. has taught classes for Lynda.com, CreativeLive and now as an adjunct professor at Bentley University (where he also graduated from).

C.C. is an advocate who speaks about building passionate communities and the strategic values of content-based marketing. He is a Samsung Imagelogger, the original ONE Dad and a UN Foundation Social Good Fellow. As a storyteller for hire, his work has appeared on the pages of Rolling Stone and The Wall Street Journal.

C.C. serves as the Chairman of the Board at Wediko and serves on the board of The Hockey Foundation. He happily lives in the woods outside of Boston with his loving family. Find out more at CC-Chapman.com

Fun Bio

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more multi-faceted or enthusiastic creative/strategic partner in the marketing and content creation fields. This greatly hails from C.C.’s unstoppable combination of marketing experience and savvy (which a great many professionals claim to have), and incalculably valuable “on the ground” knowledge and insight as an influential content creator himself (which a great many professionals do not). The result is a best-of-both-worlds mashup of marketing expertise.

C.C. Chapman sports the pro cred to be a talker (working closely with such clients as American Eagle Outfitters, Coca-Cola, HBO and Warner Bros.), and the passion and gumption to be a doer (creating content for the emerging Online Dad market, marketing professionals, music fans and more). He’s helped create, manage and execute ambitious online and offline marketing campaigns for startups and multinationals — and has the invaluable good sense to know which outreach strategies work with audiences, and which ones fall flat.

He authoritatively speaks your language. He speaks your CMO’s language. Most important, he’s fluent in your market’s language. It’s a killer double-chocolate-and-peanut-butter combination. Contact C.C. to learn how he can help your organization achieve its business goals. There’s, even more, to know about C.C. Chapman if you want to read it — and you should. C.C.’s skills are an embarrassment of riches.

Head Shots

DISCLOSURES

I’m involved with a lot of organizations and clients. I believe in being completely transparent and open about everything I’m working on. I’ll do my best to keep this updated and of course, will clearly disclose relationships in any post that require them.

I am open to being pitched and invited on press trips.

Companies do send me items in the hopes that I will review it or share with my community. If you send me something it does not guarantee a review.

With that in mind, my mailing address is:

9 C Medway Road #117 Milford, MA 01757

Current relationships include:

Verizon FiOS provides me with service in exchange for a monthly post on technology of my choosing

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